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Wednesday, November 24, 1999

Gym expansion plan comes in over budget

By ROSIE FLORESStaff WriterPECOS, Nov. 24, 1999 - Construction of racquetball courts at the old
Pecos High School gym may have to be put on hold for a while due to lack
of funds, Reeves County Commissioners were told Tuesday afternoon.

Commissioners met Tuesday to discuss the project, which is part of the
county's Community Sports and Recreation Department, and ways to fund it.

After a lengthy discussion and at the recommendation of County Judge
Jimmy B. Galindo, commissioners opted to table the racquetball project
until a special meeting can be held Dec. 6 when more information on ways
to fund it can be explored.

Commissioners did approve construction of batting cages outside the
facility, at a cost of $25,000.

"I had come to you at an earlier meeting and has asked for $100,000
out of the health care fund to finance the racquetball courts," said Galindo.
"However, the project is way over that amount."

Estimated cost for the racquetball courts based on the new plans was
set at $216,757, however, Galindo stated that that amount had been reduced
to $175,000.

"We've taken out some items, such as the brick, to reduce the amount
and now the amount needed is $175,000, which is still over the amount we
had set aside," said Galindo.

He said he has spoken to some people in the community who had said they
would contribute to the fund to make the project possible.

"I need to go back and talk to these people again and see if they still
want to contribute to make this project a possibility," he said.

Architect Lorraine Dailey, outlined the plans for both the batting cages
and the racquetball courts and told the group that the plans were for an
office to built by the racquetball courts that would have windows. "This
area will have windows and will be in the center of everything," said Dailey.

This would allow the recreation department to oversee the batting cages
and the racquetball courts.

"Hopefully we can put cameras in the gym to supervise that area," said
Galindo.

"This office would allow the recreation department manager to oversee
the racquetball courts," said Galindo. "If that office were not there,
the racquetball courts would be set apart, away from everything."

The five batting cages will be used for girls' softball, slow pitch
and regular softball. "These machines can be adjusted to various speeds,
fast and slow pitching," said Galindo. "They will serve a wide variety
of uses."

The additional $75,000 is the main issue, according to Galindo. "What
I wanted to do today, is for the court to look at the figures," he said.

"I want to move forward on the batting cages and bid those out, but
I wanted you to see the preliminary numbers and the all-inclusive," said
Galindo, who added that other things could be looked at to reduce the cost
of the project.

"We could consider scaling it down, but if we leave the racquetball
courts way over there, they will be in blind spot, away from the gym and
that might be a problem," said Galindo.

Galindo stated that brick and possibly the front porch could be eliminated
out of the project.

"But without it would just be one big block and you would basically
have an unsupervised area," said Dailey.

The central area was created to eliminate this particular problem, according
to Dailey.

Dailey stated the firewalls were one of the items that had been added
to the project. "We've gone to the bare bone on the facility, we've outlined
just the items that you need," she said.

The project is very conservative, according to Dailey.

"Can the school or city help out with some money?" asked Arredondo.

"We'd need to talk it over with them," said Galindo.

"The $25,000 for the batting cages is out of this budget, it's a separate
project, so I we go ahead with the batting cages it doesn't mean we're
doing the racquetball courts," said commissioner precinct 2 David Castillo.

"No, that's a separate project," said Galindo.

"Our challenge is to come somewhere in between and be able to support
without asking for more money out the health care fund," said Galindo

He told commissioners that the work on the plans for the project were
being done by Dailey, pro-bono. "She's doing this because of al the work
she has done with the county and the excellent relationship we have with
their firm," he said. Dailey is also involved with then current 1,000-bed
expansion of the Reeves County Detention Center.

Commissioners also approved to consider MGT as a professional service
provider for the performance audit review.

County Auditor Lynn Owens had looked into the matter and found that
the attorney general had ruled that the commissioners court was the finder
of the fact. "So, this would be in the realm of the commissioners court,"
said Owens. Questions had been raised on whether or not the performance
review contract for the RCDC would have to be open for bidding.

Pecos court working well, U.S. attorney says

By ROSIE FLORESStaff WriterPECOS, Nov. 24, 1999 - Things are going smoothly at the U.S. Federal
Courthouse in Pecos with far more felony cases being prosecuted than just
a few years ago, according to Bill Blagg, U.S. Attorney for Western District,
San Antonio.

Blagg, who oversees all U.S. Attorney offices in an area stretching
from Waco to El Paso, paid a special visit to the Pecos courthouse Tuesday
and stated that he was happy to find out things are working out really
well there. "We have a lot of hard working folks here," said Blagg.

The Pecos division has added an assistant to this division and next
month the number will be up to five.

"They've filed about 400 cases, which is almost 10 times the number
from three years ago," said Blagg. "We had about 45 in 1995," he said,
referring to the year before the new Lucius D. Bunton III Federal Courthouse
was built.

Five prosecutors are currently employed at the courthouse and Blagg
stated that they are working diligently.

"I like to come out and visit about three times a year," said Blagg.
"We were in Alpine this morning and now we'll be headed home."

Blagg said he likes to visit with both prosecutors and law enforcement
officials and find out what their needs are and get their input.

A lot of the cases prosecuted in Pecos come out of Alpine and the surrounding
area, according to Blagg.

"I haven't had a chance to visit with the Pecos law enforcement this
trip, but I have in the past," said Blagg. "That's one of the main things
that I like to do, because I get a lot of valuable information from them,
about what is needed."

"Everything seems to be working really well here and we're very pleased
with everyone in Pecos," said Blagg.

Blagg stated that the courthouse experienced a few minor glitches with
procedures just after the federal offices moved out of their 59-year-old
facility at Fourth and Oak streets and into the new courthouse. "We experienced
some growing pains, but the prosecutors seem real happy to be working together
and are doing a good job," he said.

Most businesses closed Thursday for Thanksgiving

PECOS, Nov. 24, 1999 - Most local businesses will be closing their doors
on Thursday for Thanksgiving, though a few places will remain open for
the holiday.

Pecos-Barstow-Toyah schools began taking their holiday break today,
and will remain closed until next Monday. City, county, state and federal
offices will be closed on Thursday, along with the U.S. Post Office. Normal
mail deliveries will resume on Friday.

Both First National and Security State Banks will close for Thanksgiving
and re-open on Friday, though Security State will be open for late hours
from 5 to 6 p.m. that day.

Bob's Thriftway will be closed all day on Thursday, while La Tienda
Thriftway will be open until 1 p.m. for last-minute holiday food purchases.
All local convenience stores will remain open for Thanksgiving.

The Pecos Enterprise will also close for the Thanksgiving holiday, but
will publish a regular issue on Friday.

Harmon C. Stell

Services will be held at 4 p.m. today at Carter Lake Road Church of
Christ in Bowie, with Pastor David Hall officiating. Burial will be in
Elmwood Cemetery in Bowie.

Survivors include one daughter, Patricia C. Simmons of Vashti,; two
sons, Donald R. Stell of Wichita Falls, and Bruce A. Stell of Vashti; one
sister, Iva Lewis of Wichita Falls; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren
and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to their
favorite charity or to Carter Lake Road Church of Christ in Bowie.